father's day

We got to talk to Jeff over the web cam today for the first time in a while. He's grown a mustache (interesting!!) since we last saw him! The kids were happy to see him and sat longer than usual. I tried to take my dad golfing but the course was too packed for amateurs so we played tennis instead. The kids spent last night in their own rooms (their own athens rooms) and I got a good night's sleep in a bed by myself!! Now they're busy exploring their new/old stuff that they haven't seen since we left Mississippi and playing in the sandbox and sprinkler.

We went to a AAA (if that!!) baseball game in Athens last night and Heather was scared out of her mind at the beginning of the game of the mascott (a big orange bear) but by the end of the game was giving hugs and high 5's very happily. Charlie offered emphatic "no's" anytime a visit to the bear was suggested. The actually watched some of the game (we made it through the take me out to the ball game stretch) and learned that at 4 balls you walk to first base. Now where first base is...

beach days

After two trips to Huntington beach in cleveland, one with a friend that I used to work for and one with Jeff's mom the kids have thoroughly enjoyed the sand and ice cream that the beach has to offer. We also stopped at teh nature center that Jeff and Jeremy used to volunteer at and it was super fun!! *thanks for the suggestion Kathy!!* The kids loved getting to see the animals and a trip to the zoo this summer is imminent. Today we're getting ready to drive to Athens where we will be for probably a week before heading to DC to see my sister. The kids are pretty well rested after the chaotic weeks of not sleeping in the same place for more than a few nights so I think we'll be able to manage a week here and a week there without feeling that it's a frantic pace. On my excercise notes I didn't get to run yesterday but I did dance to the wiggles for an hour and carry kids up and down stairs which should count for something. Looking forward to four hours in the car...

laid back days of summer

We've taken it pretty easy the last two days, running errands yesterday and today heading out to a little park with a wading pool and some nice playground stuff. The kids are enjoying having a more relaxed schedule. Tonight we're headed to a "beach" on the lake for dinner and ice cream with a lady I used to work for. It should be fun. My mother and law and brother in law will be rooting for the CAVS at game four tonight and are still looking for a win to get them rolling...I did manage to run yesterday morning and hope to continue the trend of every other day at least by rising and shining tomorrow. Maybe if I write that I did it it will help my motivation...

Cleveland amusement

We had a fun day today with Heather and Charlie's cousins at a kiddie amusement park. The kids got to ride rides that were designed for kids 50 inches or smaller (imagine being too tall for a change!!). They rode little boats, rockets, ferris wheel, horse drawn carts, merry go round and of course a roller coater--that the kids liked lots more than mom or grandma did! The kids had a good time with their cousins and we'll hopefully get together another time this summer. We were treated to dinner with a high school friend of Jeff's/former roommate of Sara's. It was nice to see them and have some adult focused time while the kids entertained each other. It's nice to be in one place for more than three days at a time!

Cleveland

We made it through our Wooster reunion thanks to the help of lots of friends! It was really fun to see people that we're in touch with but don't see that often and also those who I haven't seen or heard from since graduation. The kids had a great time making new friends and playing with them. It was fun to see Heather recognize her new friends at various activities that we went to and play with them like they'd been friends forever!! We missed those Woosterites who were unable to attend and hope that maybe we'll get to see you sometime in the near future.
We're in Cleveland now at Jeff's mom's house. The weather is great so we're hoping to get out and enjoy the sunsine this week. The kids are doing well with moving from place to place although they seem to prefer sharing my bed (regardless of size) with all of us rather than sleeping in their own "special beds". Hopefully this is not creating disaster for the future...Saturday we'll head back to Athens for Father's day with my dad and then a preiod of time to be determined in Athens.

Ohio

We made it back home from Texas, my mom really got everything under control so we could come back to a nice, clean house when we return. We made it to Ohio somehow and are ready to move around for the summer! We're going to be in Wooster this weekend at my 10 year college reunion and then will be headed to Cleveland for the week with Jeff's family. The kids were great on the drive and handle travelling so well! They're excited to finally be in Ohio and look forward to seeing our friends and family in the area.

Jeff is really busy with work right now. They basically work 10 hour days, 6 days a week and do laundry, etc. on their day off. He says that he's learning a lot and doing well. He apologizes for not sending out e-mails more frequently and claims that he will do better. He sent the kids some cute "native dress" outfits...I'll post a picture when things settle down.

lovin' life at the beach!

We settled into the condo on the beach with the whole fam and Kelly's brave boyfriend who came along for the trip. We beached for several hours each of the last two days and the kids love the sand, waves, and especially the seashells. Today we spent a lot of time looking for pocketbook shells before they could dig themselves back in the sand. Charlie loves the sand and we spent a lot of time yesterday digging sandcastles. We are enjoying time with extended family at our reunion in Galveston and will have a nice dinner tonight. Hope the kids make it through! A few more days before we head back home and then off again. I'm looking out the window at the beach and thinking this is the life!! (if only Jeff were here!)